Chelsea leave Drogba behind

20 July 2008 02:58

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Chelsea have embarked on their pre-season tour of China and Malaysia without striker Didier Drogba.
Drogba, 30, has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, but the Blues claim he has been left behind to aid the recovery of a knee injury.
The Ivory Coast striker has been mentioned as a possible target for Barcelona and Internazionale and his absence is bound to spark fresh speculation about his future.
"Didier Drogba will not be travelling as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury at the Cobham training ground," read a club statement.
However, another of the club's coveted stars, Frank Lampard, has made the trip.
The England midfielder has been the subject of two unsuccessful approaches from Internazionale, who are now managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile, new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes he will have a better understanding of the squad he has inherited after a busy pre-season schedule.
"The players are not ready yet totally, but we are starting to build a new team and a new philosophy," he claimed.
"This is just the beginning and I expect after these fives games that I have a general idea about all the players and a system."